scholarly journals ‘I refuse to respond to this obvious troll’: an overview of responses to (perceived) trolling

Corpora ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Hardaker
Keyword(s):  
Hate Speech ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Linguistic Research ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Efficient Communication ◽  
Fertile Ground ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Over Time

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) provides many benefits, including quick, efficient communication over time and space. At the same time, however, the anonymity it offers can give a sense of impunity, an illusion that behaviour is less hurtful than it really is, and a suppression of empathy. In short, CMC can be a fertile ground for conflict, and one particular manifestation of this is trolling. Trolling involves deliberately attacking others online, typically for amusement's sake. In some cases, it can be taken to such an extreme that it clearly violates UK legislation on hate-speech, abuse and menace. Whilst forensic linguistic research into threatening and abusive language is, however, gradually growing ( Carney, 2014 ; Chakraborti, 2010 : 99–123; and Fraser, 1998 ), there is a shortage of research into linguistic aggression online, and particularly research into trolling (see, however, Binns, 2011 ; Herring et al., 2002 ; and Shin, 2008 ). In endeavouring to contribute to this under-researched area, this paper seeks to address the question, ‘How do users respond to (perceived) trolling?’ The answer to this is elaborated through the creation of a working taxonomy of response types, drawn from 3,727 examples of user discussions and accusations of trolling which were extracted from an eighty-six million word Usenet corpus. I conclude this paper by discussing the limitations and applications of this research.

Threaded Discussion

2011 ◽  
pp. 1846-1855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Swan
Keyword(s):  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Threaded Discussions ◽  
Threaded Discussion ◽  
Subject Line ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Multiple Threads ◽  
Over Time

Threaded discussion is a kind of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Specifically, it is an online dialog or conversation that takes the form of a series of linked messages organized topically. Threaded discussions are text based and asynchronous; they develop over time as participants separated in time and space read and reply to existing messages. Messages in a given thread share a common topic and are linked to each other in the order of their creation. Threaded discussions are particularly useful in online venues where multiple discussions develop at the same time. They grow like crystals, with multiple threads expanding simultaneously rather than evolving linearly. Without them, discussion participants would confront a chaotic, unsorted list of messages on many different topics. By linking responses to messages within a common subject line, threaded discussion makes it easier for participants to focus on one conversation and avoid the distractions of unrelated postings.

Threaded Discussion

2011 ◽  
pp. 2110-2118
Author(s):  
Karen Swan
Keyword(s):  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Threaded Discussions ◽  
Threaded Discussion ◽  
Subject Line ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Over Time

Threaded discussion is a kind of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Specifically, it is an online dialog or conversation that takes the form of a series of linked messages organized topically. Threaded discussions are text-based and asynchronous; they develop over time as participants separated in time and space read and reply to existing messages. Messages in a given thread share a common topic and are linked to each other in the order of their creation. Threaded discussions are particularly useful in online venues where multiple discussions develop at the same time. Without them, discussion participants would confront a chaotic, unsorted list of messages on many different topics. By linking responses to messages within a common subject line, threaded discussion makes it easier for participants to focus on one conversation and avoid the distractions of unrelated postings.

Making and Sharing YouTube Videos, History, and YouTube Economics and Advertising

2016 ◽  
pp. 26-62
Keyword(s):  
Hate Speech ◽  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Fair Use ◽  
Corporate Ownership ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Media Companies ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Youtube Videos

Less than 2 years after YouTube was created, the search engine giant Google bought the start-up for 1.65 billion dollars. According to the Associated Press, the announcement “came just a few hours after YouTube unveiled three separate agreements with media companies to counter the threat of copyright infringement lawsuits” (Liedtke, 2006). Years later, YouTube's legal concerns continue, as Google has recently lost a court battle, forcing it to remove content from YouTube. Google is appealing the decision to a higher court (Landau & Marquez, 2014). The recent lawsuit is just one example of YouTube's significant and global influence and its deep and abiding connection with larger social concerns and institutions, such as freedom of expression, the power of democracy, and computer-mediated communication. YouTube's history, corporate ownership and influence, cultural recognition as a place that can promote hate speech and bullying tactics, and the continued legal challenges that threaten individual rights to fair use and freedom of expression all define YouTube's power as part of the new evolution of the Internet and Web 2.0. Tempering YouTube's democratic potential and cultural importance is YouTube LLC's predetermined economic goal to increase revenue streams through advertising and content creation. To those ends, YouTube provides detailed instructions on how to make videos and how to advertise. A detailed case-study of one video's path through the creation and advertising process on YouTube illustrates how user-generated videos become YouTube videos.

Virtual Hate Communities in the 21st Century

2011 ◽  
pp. 34-53
Author(s):  
Glenn T. Tsunokai ◽  
Allison R. McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Interactive Media ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Function

Technological innovations in computer-mediated communication have helped hate groups to transform themselves into virtual communities. Likeminded individuals are now able to unite from all parts of the globe to promote hatred against visible minorities and other out-groups. Through their online interactions, a sense of place is often created. In this chapter, we explore the content and function of online hate communities. Since bigotry tends to be the cornerstone of virtual hate communities, we highlight the legal debate surrounding the regulation of Internet hate speech; in particular, we address the question: Does the First Amendment protect virtual community members who use the Internet to advocate hate? Next, using data collected from the largest hate website, Stormfront.org, we also investigate how Stormfront members utilize interactive media features to foster a sense of community. Finally, we direct our attention to the future of online hate communities by outlining the issues that need to be further investigated.

Virtual Communities

2009 ◽  
pp. 1512-1519
Author(s):  
George Kontolemakis
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Semantic Space ◽  
Computer Networking ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Electronic Networks ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Improved Technology ◽  
Over Time

In recent years, computer-mediated communication has been the enabling factor for connecting people to one another and establishing “virtual relationships” (Igbaria, 1999; Johnston, Raizada, & Cronin, 1996). Virtual communities evolved as users of the early networks utilized them mainly for informal rather than business-related communication. These communities were not planned development in the sphere of computer networking. As this form of interaction increased, the users began to demand better and improved technology and functionality which would assist them in their interactions. “Virtual Communities describe the union between individuals or organizations who share common values and interests using electronic media to communicate within a shared semantic space on a regular basis” (Schubert, 1999). This was one of the first definitions of Virtual Communities. Nowadays, in considering companies that are building or trying to build virtual communities, it seems that the up-to-date definition of Virtual Communities is that these “involve establishing connections on electronic networks among people with common needs so that they can engage in shared discussions that persist and accumulate over time leading to complex webs of personal relationships and an increasing sense of identification with the overall community” (Hagel, 2007).

Cybercultural Transgressions in Comments by Iranian Instagram Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-186
Author(s):  
Shalaleh Meraji Oskuie ◽  
Kamran Mohamadkhani (corresponding author) ◽  
Ali Delavar ◽  
Ali Akbar Farhangi
Keyword(s):  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
User Comments ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
Fertile Ground ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
Effective Use

Abstract The ease of communication and anonymity that computer-mediated communication provides has created fertile ground for transgressive (socially non-normative) online behaviours. The purpose of the current research is to explore the types of transgressive comments on Iranian celebrities’ Instagram pages. Within a qualitative descriptive approach, the current research employs Braun and Clarke’s ‘thematic analysis’ to analyze transgressive user comments. Using a judgmental (purposive) non-probability sampling technique, we selected posts from 22 Iranian celebrities’ Instagram pages. Afterwards, we analyzed 53,066 comments in these posts and extracted four dominant transgressive themes: ‘unwanted advertisement,’ ‘partner seeking,’ ‘attention seeking,’ and ‘emotional release’; we then extracted their sub-themes. Transgressive behaviours disrupt the communicative experience on social networks, endanger users’ security and safety, and can lead to mental problems and even offline harassment and violence. Recognizing these behaviours and their patterns can contribute to more effective use of social control means.

Supplementing Access to Social Capital Over Time: Computer-Mediated Communication Competence for Social-Resource Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 089443931989550
Author(s):  
Brandon C. Bouchillon
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Resource Development ◽  
Occupational Prestige ◽  
Social Resource ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Over Time

Social capital has been declining in America for the better part of a century, as citizens now find themselves connected to fewer people and resources. But computer-based modes of social contact have at the same time opened up new frontiers for expanding and developing personal relationships online. A two-wave U.S. web survey was used to examine the importance of computer-mediated communication (CMC) competence for social-resource development, measured in terms of occupational prestige. CMC competence related to acquiring more total resources over time. It also contributed to accessing a wider range of resources and having more valuable connections on average. When CMC competence was broken down into subscale measures, computer-based motivation contributed to total resources and range in resources, while computer-based attentiveness related to developing better resources. Findings speak to the value of CMC competence for social capital and the waning influence of interpersonal competence in general.

Recovery.gov

2010 ◽  
pp. 174-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Foltz ◽  
Rudy Pugliese ◽  
Paul Ferber
Keyword(s):  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Public Trust ◽  
The State ◽  
Open Government ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Major Goal ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Government

President Barak Obama’s directive on transparency and open government, and the creation of the Website Recovery.gov, would seem to be concrete examples of the predictions of cyber advocates that computer-mediated communication and the Internet will change the nature of democracy and make citizens more participatory. A major goal is to try to increase the public’s trust in their government. An examination of Recovery.gov, however, reveals it to be not very interactive and less than fully transparent. While it may be praised for providing information, it falls far short of the vision of cyber advocates. The state sites associated with Recovery.gov do a slightly better job by putting a personal face to the oversight of the recovery. Overall, the sites tend to provide only a limited view into the workings of the government and have a long way to go before they increase public trust in the government.

Virtual Hate Communities in the 21st Century

2014 ◽  
pp. 1312-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn T. Tsunokai ◽  
Allison R. McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Interactive Media ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Function

Technological innovations in computer-mediated communication have helped hate groups to transform themselves into virtual communities. Likeminded individuals are now able to unite from all parts of the globe to promote hatred against visible minorities and other out-groups. Through their online interactions, a sense of place is often created. In this chapter, we explore the content and function of online hate communities. Since bigotry tends to be the cornerstone of virtual hate communities, we highlight the legal debate surrounding the regulation of Internet hate speech; in particular, we address the question: Does the First Amendment protect virtual community members who use the Internet to advocate hate? Next, using data collected from the largest hate website, Stormfront.org, we also investigate how Stormfront members utilize interactive media features to foster a sense of community. Finally, we direct our attention to the future of online hate communities by outlining the issues that need to be further investigated.

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